I need help from dry incubation fans! Quick!

[hmlongino]

Okay, I have eggs that are settling at the moment... and I need to put them in SOON. I am following the advice of https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-DryIncubation.html. BUT... although my house is a constant 50% humidity, my foam hovabator, with the red plugs out (as suggested) and my humidity in the bator is only 19%??? I'm not sure what to do. Why is it not stabilizing to the humidity of the room? What would you do? I have more than one hydrometer so I know it's correct.

If you could give me some advice ASAP, I would appreciate it!!!

Holly

 

[HEChicken]

Temperature and humidity are inter-related - temp affects humidity. Your house is at 50% humidity but the temp is probably lower than the desired incubation temp in your incubator. That is why your humidity is different.

 

[hmlongino]

Well, yes, the temp is lower. Perhaps I missed something and need to go reread the article.... Do you mean my bator would have to be in a room in my house that is close to the temp inside the bator? Then... why have a bator at all? I could just have a 99.5 degree living room at 50% humidity and hatch them on the couch?

Surely, we're missing something here.

For those who do dry incubation, how do you make it work? I chose a room with very little temp swing and a constant humidity. Beyond that, what am I doing wrong? Coach me... and quickly!



Holly

 

[skillswife]

If you are doing dry incubation you don't need higher humidity in the bator. If you still want the humidity higher in your bator you will have to add a wet sponge or cloth and close a vent. The higher heat in the bator burns off the moisture so unless your house is 99.5 your humidity in the bator will not be 50% like it is in your house. If you raised the heat in your house to 99.5 it would drop the humidity to what your bator is reading. Hope I explained that so you can understand. I live in a dry climate and keep a moist sponge in my bator to keep the humidity up a bit but not enough to drown the chicks.

 

[skillswife]

Humidity is less tragic at the beginning, just the temps, so put your eggs in when the temps are good and you can keep working on the humidity.

 

[hmlongino]

Thank you. I am just so stressed out as we've lost a bunch of chickens to predators lately, and my last 3 hatches were miserable.... so I just HAVE to get this right!!

Do you weigh your eggs?

 

[skillswife]

Nope I don't weigh them. I think that there is a lot of unnecessary stress put on ourselves to get things right when even hens themselves don't get it right all the time either. Take a deep breath and try and relax. I am so sorry that you have lost many chickens

My

for you!

 

[SierraView]

If you know your hydrometer is right then you might need to add some water even with a dry hatch. I think a dry hatch is around 35% but not sure. I live in a dry climate and keep mine at 45% 1-18 day. Go by whats inside your incubator and forget what it is in the house. Temp affects humidity. My humidity in the house is 37% and my incubator is 20% or less without any water when I fire it up.

 

[Arielle]

Are the vent holes blocked?? THe ones on the bottom or sides. OR top ones? I'm wondering if air is not flowing thru the vent system.

 

[hmlongino]

I left the plugs out in the top, and there are small holes around the bottom, as well.



Thanks!